Impact of Border Measures and Statistics

Date: May 4, 2021

Classification: Unclassified

Fully releasable (ATIP)? Yes

Branch/Agency: SPB/CBSA 

Overall – weekly data:

• Overall, there has been a decline of 87% in travellers across the country in all modes versus the same period last year (over the last 7 days, up to May 3).
• As there is a requirement for the digital submission of information (as of November 21, 2020), data shows that 86% of air travellers used ArriveCAN to submit the required information (over the last 7 days, up to May 2).
• Traveller volumes at the border increased by approximately 2% between last week (April 26 – May 2) and two weeks prior (April 12 – 18):
  • 10% more in U.S. air travel;
  • 29% less international air travel;
  • 2% more commercial truck drivers at the land border; and
  • 8% more in other highway traffic.  

Admissibility of Foreign Nationals under Family Reunification (June 9, 2020 – April 28, 2021):

• Orders in Council have been introduced that contain provisions which allow foreign nationals who are immediate family members of Canadian citizens and permanent residents to seek entry to Canada for the purpose of being with their family members.
• In order to be eligible, travellers must meet the Immediate Family Exemption (intention to stay in Canada with an immediate family member for at least 15 days) or their travel related to immediate family must be non-discretionary.
• Thus far, 42,459 foreign nationals have been allowed to enter Canada for the purpose of family reunification.
• 585 foreign nationals (from the U.S. or from other foreign locations) seeking entry for the purpose of family reunification have been denied entry to Canada as their travel was deemed discretionary/optional.

Note: Immediate family members can enter Canada under the new OIC 48 and OIC 49 if: (1) they are asymptomatic; (2) they are entering Canada to be with their immediate family member; and (3) they can demonstrate the intent to stay in Canada for a period of at least 15 days and agree to comply with all quarantine requirements. In order for a foreign national to be allowed to enter Canada, the standard for entry must be met in full otherwise, they can be denied entry to Canada. Additionally, under the new OIC 50, all travellers, with some exceptions, are required to provide proof of a negative COVID-19 molecular test result taken in the US within 72 hours of pre-arrival, or a positive test taken 14 to 90 days prior to arrival. Additionally, air and land travellers entering Canada will be required to take a COVID-19 molecular test on arrival as well as toward the end of their 14-day quarantine as of February 22, 2021. Law abiding

Travellers - Air Mode (from March 22, 2020 – May 3, 2021):

• Decrease of 97% in U.S. air travellers versus the same period last year (over the last 7 days, up to May 3).
• Decrease of 94% of international air travellers arriving from other locations (other than the U.S.) versus the same period last year (over the last 7 days, up to May 3).
• 4,396 travellers were referred to PHAC for not demonstrating a pre-arrival test result (January 7, 2021 – May 3, 2021).
• 48 foreign nationals seeking entry from the U.S. were prohibited entry for failing to have a pre-arrival test result (January 7, 2021 – May 3, 2021).
• 1,773 U.S. citizens and 543 foreign nationals travelling from the U.S. by air were denied entry into Canada.
• 979 foreign nationals from locations other than the U.S. were also denied entry.
• 555 travellers were referred* by the CBSA to a PHAC Quarantine Officer after being ruled as a potential case of concern.
• 15,432 asymptomatic travellers referred to PHAC for not having suitable accommodation to quarantine (April 17, 2020 – May 3, 2021).

Travellers - Land, Rail and Marine Mode (from March 22, 2020 – May 3, 2021):

• Overall decrease of 80% of highway volumes when compared to this same period last year (over the last 7 days, up to May 3).
• The number of individuals travelling by ferry has decreased by 100% when compared to this same period last year (over the last 7 days, up to May 3).
• The number of private boaters has decreased by 85% when compared to this same period last year (over the last 7 days, up to May 3).
• Passenger rail service has been suspended until further notice (decrease of 100%).
• 4,615 travellers were referred to PHAC for not demonstrating a pre-arrival test result (February 15, 2021  – May 3, 2021).
• 1,781 foreign nationals seeking entry from the U.S. were prohibited entry for failing to have a pre-arrival test result (February 15, 2021  – May 3, 2021).
• 31,976 U.S. citizens, and 4,489 other foreign nationals, were denied entry due to non-essential travel.
• 880 travellers were referred to a PHAC Officer by the CBSA* after being ruled as a potential case of concern.
• 9,928 asymptomatic travellers referred to PHAC for not having suitable accommodation to quarantine (April 17, 2020 – May 3, 2021).

*Note: Referral rates for the CBSA are not 1:1; travellers may respond in error, report symptoms that are not COVID-19 related, or be referred to Quarantine Officers from PHAC Screening Officers (which is not captured by CBSA reporting)

Refugee Claimants:

• Week over week, there has been a relatively consistent number of asylum seekers at the Canada/U.S. border since travel was restricted.
• Between March 21, 2020 and May 3, 2021:
  • 1,995 claimants arriving at a port of entry met an exemption to the Safe Third Country Agreement (STCA) and were allowed entry to Canada to proceed with their claim; and,
  • 62 claimants were admitted into Canada from the U.S. as an exception under the OICs; whereas,
  • 345 refugee claimants seeking entry to Canada were found to be ineligible under the STCA; and
  • 408 refugee claimants seeking entry to Canada have been temporarily directed back to the U.S.

Commercial Operations – Year over Year data:

• Overall, there has been a decrease of 3% in commercial truck traffic versus the same period last year (over the last 7 days, up to May 3).
• Overall, there has been an increase of 45% in commercial releases in all modes versus the same period last year (over the last 7 days, up until May 2)
  • Increase of 56% in highway releases versus the same period last year (over the last 7 days, up until May 2)
  • Increase of 26% in air releases versus the same period last year (over the last 7 days, up until May 2)
  • Increase of 8% in marine releases versus the same period last year (over the last 7 days, up until May 2)
  • Increase of 50% in rail releases versus the same period last year (over the last 7 days, up until May 2)

Border Information Service (on May 2, 2021):

• The CBSA’s Border Information Service telephone line is now accessible 24/7 to respond to traveller and business queries.
• 541 calls received
• 70% domestic calls; 30% international calls
• 100% traveller-related; 0% commercial-related (no commercial service on the weekend)
• The most common questions were related to: admissibility inquiries (essential travel, immediate family exemption, compassionate entry, etc.), pre-arrival/on-arrival molecular test (exemptions, flying to the U.S., entering Canada by land, etc.), India/Pakistan travel ban.

ArriveCAN (as of May 2, 2021)    

• Traveller processing has been streamlined through the implementation of web-based applications for submitting information on quarantine plans. 
• Since November 4, 2020, passengers have been notified by their air carrier of the need to submit COVID-related information digitally prior to boarding their flight to Canada. 
• Since November 21, 2020, travellers seeking entry by air to Canada have been mandated to submit COVID-related information through these digital means before boarding their flight to Canada.
  • At that time, travellers who have not completed the information digitally prior to boarding will be permitted to board the aircraft and seek entry to Canada.
  • Non-compliant travellers may be subject to enforcement action, which may include a fine or penalty upon arrival.
  • 86% of air travellers used ArriveCAN to submit the required information (over the last 7 days, up to May 2).
• As of February 22, 2021, all travellers, whether arriving by land or air are required to submit their travel and contact information, including a suitable quarantine plan, electronically, such as via ArriveCAN, before crossing the border or boarding a flight.
• Digital traveller information can be shared quickly and securely with provinces and territories to support public health follow-up, and with law enforcement to verify compliance with the Mandatory Isolation Order.
• Submitting information digitally in all modes of travel also helps travellers reduce their processing time at the border and limit physical contact between travellers and BSOs, as well as PHAC Officers. This also protects the health and safety of travellers and officers.
• As of May 2, the CBSA has used data obtained from web based applications (e.g. ArriveCAN) to process 1,617,732 travellers in the air (1,166,379), land (450,957) and marine (386) modes.

Date modified:

2021-10-13